PORTLAND UNITED 3

SWANAGE T&H 4

PORTLAND manager Gary Bailey saw his side crash out of the cup as Swanage Town & Herston took advantage of a lacklustre first-half performance by the Blues.

The islanders were 2-0 down at the break after Joe Clarke and Graeme Rose netted for the Swans.

After some stern words in the dressing room, the hosts pulled two goals back through Sean Bessant and Alex Godfrey.

A goal each in two minutes from either side saw it level at 3-3 before Cameron Beard rifled home a 30-yard volley to win the game and send his side through to the Dorset Senior Cup semi-finals.

After the game, Bailey told Echosport: “It’s disappointing. We just didn’t get going in the first half and that cost us the game.

“It’s hard to put your finger on it. We warned the players before the game about taking the fixture lightly and not giving Swanage the respect that they deserved. They flew out at us and stayed on the front foot in the opening 20 minutes.”

The visitors were in front after just four minutes thanks to a crisp Clarke volley. Rose doubled the lead in the 20th minute with a divine chip that gave Lillington no chance.

After the break, the islanders rallied and got a goal back in the 55th minute. Jamie Beasley fizzed in a free-kick that was headed on by Alex Halloran for Bessant to get the final touch.

Ten minutes, later Godfrey levelled the game up with a peach of a volley that flew back across the goal and into the net. Rose scored again with 14 minutes to go before the Blues went up the other end and immediately made it 3-3 through Ross Doidge.

But, there were more thrills as Beard latched on to a half-cleared free-kick to find the top corner for the away side and win the tie.

Blues: Lillington, Bessant, Whyton, S Buckler (Carmichael 60), C Clarke, Halloran, M Buckler (Harris 80), Doidge, Beasley, Godfrey, L Clarke. Subs not used: Richardson

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